Commander of U.S. Army Africa Discusses Partner Nation Building in Africa

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, commander of U.S. Army Africa, joined bloggers and online journalists to discuss the U.S. Army’s newest component command and its upcoming Exercise Natural Fire ’10, a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise.

Garrett said Exercise Natural Fire will enhance the United States and partners capabilities in working together in response to complex humanitarian and emergency disaster relief efforts. The exercise will focus on a variety of areas, including a pandemic influenza training scenario, field training exercises and humanitarian and civic action projects in Northern Uganda, which include medical, dental and engineering programs.

“This exercise enhances mutual understanding and stability and security,” said Garrett. “It is forcing all the militaries to interact and look at strengths and weaknesses and shortcomings.”

The establishment of AFRICOM has proven to be a most significant endeavor. The efforts of MG Garrett are no light task and are being viewed by some military leaders at the tactical level, as the next major AOR for U.S. military action. It is important to note that more and more military leaders at the Field Grade level are becomming increasing engrained in the political-military aspects of our engagements. The soft-power nature and level of discussions that MG Garrett and his team are conducting are just the type of actions to set the stage for the future of U.S. envolvement in the region. I look forward to progressing in my military career and perhaps contributing to this history making event. As a future member of the American political landscape, I am particularly interested in the future effects of these engagements on the region. I will be closely monitoring the activities of AFRICOM and the progress in this region.